Ace Frehley Claims Paul Stanley Is Jealous of His Solo Success

Ace Frehley, original lead guitarist of KISS, has once again spoken candidly about his rocky relationship with longtime bandmate Paul Stanley. In a recent interview with Guitar World, Frehley suggested that jealousy may lie at the core of their ongoing conflict, particularly in relation to recent KISS events that excluded him and fellow founding member Peter Criss.

“They Changed Their Tune”

Frehley addressed his absence from several major KISS-related appearances, including the KISS Kruise and the band’s upcoming Landlocked in Vegas residency. He cited broken promises and dismissive behavior from Stanley and Gene Simmons as reasons for distancing himself.

“There’s multiple reasons,” Frehley explained. “About nine months before KISS was going to play Madison Square Garden, both Paul and Gene were saying, ‘We’re going to bring everybody out on stage.’ Then a few months before the concert, they both changed their tune and said, ‘Ace and Peter aren’t going to do it.’”

The situation reportedly escalated when Stanley made an offhanded, derogatory remark about the possibility of a reunion with the original members.

“In fact, Paul went on to say, ‘If Ace and Peter got on stage with us, the band could be called Piss,’” Frehley recalled. “So, I kind of got into an argument with him. Ed Trunk let me use his show as a platform. But it was just… I got upset, and then I just kind of let it go.”

“Jealousy Can Make You Say Stupid Things”

Frehley, who left the band in the early 1980s and returned for a stint in the late ’90s, has often expressed frustration over his exclusion from events celebrating KISS’s legacy. He believes Stanley’s comments were not only uncalled for but also reflective of deeper issues.

“Paul says things off the top of his head without thinking sometimes,” Frehley said. “Jealousy can make you say stupid things.”

This isn’t the first time Frehley has hinted at envy among his former bandmates. He has consistently maintained that the original lineup—himself, Stanley, Simmons, and Criss—represents the most authentic version of KISS.

Protecting the Original Legacy

Frehley’s decision to skip recent high-profile events, including the 2025 KISS Kruise and the Las Vegas shows, reflects his ongoing commitment to preserving what he sees as the band’s original artistic integrity. As reported by Metal Wani, he declined invitations to participate in both, citing a lack of inclusion for the full original lineup.

These upcoming Las Vegas performances are especially significant, marking the band’s first live appearances since their End of the Road farewell tour concluded in 2023. According to American Songwriter, the shows will feature longtime guitarist Bruce Kulick performing unmasked—an unusual move for a band so deeply associated with its trademark makeup and theatrical personas.

Frehley’s absence underscores the unresolved tensions that continue to shadow the band’s post-farewell era. As confirmed by Loaded Radio, the guitarist has repeatedly voiced concerns over reunions that exclude Criss and himself, emphasizing that anything less than the full founding lineup fails to honor the true spirit of KISS.

While KISS moves forward with reimagined performances and a legacy-focused brand, Frehley remains steadfast in his belief that authenticity comes from the roots. His latest comments serve as a reminder that even after decades of success, the dynamics within rock’s most flamboyant band remain as complex—and combustible—as ever.